Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
சுற்றறிக்கை எண்.20633/ஐ3/2023, SPCA சங்கப்பதிவு, 15.05.2025
The Head of the Tamil Nadu Registration Department issued Circular Number 20633/I3/2023 dated 15 May 2025, directing registration officers how to handle Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals society records and filings. Officers must check whether a new Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been registered in the relevant revenue district under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals) Rules, 2001 before processing applications relating to an earlier society using the SPCA name.
What the circular governs
Circular Number 20633/I3/2023 dated 15 May 2025 concerns the registration and administration of district Societies for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, commonly called SPCA societies. The Head of the Tamil Nadu Registration Department issued the guidance to all Deputy Heads of Registration and all District Registrars.
The stated subject is SPCA society registration. The circular does not set out requirements for property registration or stamp duty.
District SPCA requirement
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals) Rules, 2001 requires the State Government to establish an SPCA society for every district through an Official Gazette notification. A society already functioning in a district when those rules commenced may continue its work until the district SPCA is established under the rules.
The circular also refers to the Supreme Court order dated 6 August 2008 in Writ Petition (Civil) Number 440/2000, which directed compliance with the relevant requirement in the 2001 Rules.
Managing committee requirements
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Establishment and Regulation of Societies for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals) Rules, 2001 provides that:
- The State Government or the district local authority appoints the managing committee.
- The chairperson is appointed with the concurrence of the Board.
- At least two committee members must represent animal welfare organisations actively involved in preventing cruelty to animals and promoting animal welfare, preferably within the district.
- At least two committee members must be elected by the society's general body.
Instructions to registration officers
Circular Number 20633/I3/2023 states that new SPCA societies have been registered in all revenue districts under the 2001 Rules. When an application is received concerning an earlier society using the SPCA name, registration officers must:
- Check whether a new SPCA society has been registered in the relevant revenue district.
- Apply the provision allowing an earlier society to function only until the district SPCA is established.
- Follow this process for requests such as re-uploading records or filing annual report forms for an earlier SPCA society.
The Head of the Tamil Nadu Registration Department warns that officers who do not follow these instructions may face disciplinary action.
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Common questions
Can an older SPCA society continue after a new district SPCA is registered?
The 2001 Rules allow an existing society to continue only until the SPCA for that district is established. Registration officers must check whether the new district SPCA has already been registered.
What will the District Registrar check before accepting an annual report filing for an older SPCA?
The District Registrar must verify whether an SPCA society has been registered in the relevant revenue district under the 2001 Rules. The same check applies to requests for re-uploading records.
Who must be represented on an SPCA managing committee?
The committee must include at least two representatives of animal welfare organisations actively involved in preventing cruelty and promoting animal welfare, preferably from the district. It must also include at least two people elected by the society's general body.
Does this circular prescribe any property registration fee or stamp duty?
No property registration fee or stamp duty is prescribed in the circular. Its stated subject is the registration and handling of district SPCA societies.
